Satori Staff 2025
Directors:
Mike Cantlon – Satori Camp Co-founder and Director
After nearly 40 years of teaching gifted students for Spokane School District 81, Mike retired in 2018. Now, Mike is enjoying quasi-retirement by…continuing to teach every chance he gets and to anyone who will listen.
Dr. Bruce Mitchell – Satori Camp Co-founder
Bruce was a life-long teacher who co-founded Satori with Mike Cantlon. Doc was a noted researcher and author in the areas of creativity, gifted education, and multicultural education. We are a family because of Doc and he is sorely missed by the whole Satori family.
*Sara Maleki, Esq. – Satori Camp Associate Director
She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and is an attorney and shareholder at GLP Attorneys in Spokane, WA. She has had the pleasure of being the Satori Associate Director for…several years. She is totally 25 years old.
Counselors:
Satori Camp counselors are predominantly certified teachers and students in an education program. Most of our counselors are Satori campers who have worked their way into camp counselor positions.
Instructors:
Dr. Alfonso Garcia Arriola – is a middle school science educator at ACCESS Academy in Portland, OR. Dr. Garcia Arriola completed his doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction at Portland State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Gonzaga University.
*F. Tyler Burnet – holds a MFA from University of Georgia Athens and recently completed the national tours of West Side Story and Sister Act.
Kaitlyn Etter Burnet – has a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She was on the National/International tour of Sister Act. She currently teaches theatre in Ridgefield, WA.
*Jaxx Chadick – is an alumni of the Lakewood Institute of Theatre, the Seattle Opera’s Youth Opera Project, and a former company dancer with the Tacoma City Ballet. They are active in signing spaces and conlanging communities, with an interest in linguistics and sociology.
RJ Ermola, Esq. – is a partner at GLP Attorneys, PS Inc. He has been an attorney for 18 years practicing in civil litigation. He has a business degree from New York University and law degree from Western Michigan.
*Cassidy Freeman – has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Statistical Mathematics and Biology and is currently attending Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine with an interest in small animal emergency.
Claire Grubb – is currently working on her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy at Antioch University in Seattle. When she’s not studying or working as a childcare provider, Claire is collecting new creative hobbies.
Isaac Grubb – An alumnus of the 2009 Odyssey class, Isaac Grubb makes his Satori debut! With a sharp analytical mind honed through the study of mathematics at the University of Washington and a master’s degree in physics, Isaac thrives on solving complex problems and uncovering hidden patterns. His passion for logic, strategy games, and puzzles fuels his approach to teaching, helping students sharpen their thinking and uncover deeper insights.
Grant Habersetzer – an associate at a small wealth management firm in Spokane. He graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s in finance and will be completing a Master of Science in Financial Planning in May 2025. He is passionate about financial literacy and thrilled to be able to help educate young people on the principles of finance so that they are equipped to manage their personal finances in the future.
Cara Heath – completed her bachelor’s in history as well as her secondary education teaching certificate at Gonzaga University. After teaching for a few years, she completed her master’s in curriculum design and instruction at WGU. She has been teaching history and English in Spokane Public Schools as well as coaching speech and debate since 2011.
Dr. Derek Hutchinson – is a school administrator in Kansas City. Prior to his work in leadership, Derek was a teacher of highly capable children and teens. Derek’s academic background centers on the ways people learn through their life experiences and the ways those experiences shape identity.
*Monica Jensen – escaped from grad school and now lives in Seattle with too many books and a foolishly large dice collection.
*Joe Johnson – graduated from Lawrence University with a BA in Theatre Arts and Psychology, after attending Odyssey and Lewis and Clark High School. An avid supporter of the Portland arts scene, his academic interests include music, language, culture, storytelling, communication, and design.
Dr. Ashley Lamm – is an associate professor at Eastern Washington University, teaching chemistry and biochemistry. She holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Oregon.
David Lott – earned a degree in Chemistry from Gonzaga University and has spent the last 25 years working in the fuel cell industry. His work developing fuel cell technology has helped generate over 20 patents covering a wide variety of topics. He now manages a fuel cell stack development team for Plug Power.
*Jennifer Lott – holds an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Western Washington University and works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Gonzaga University, where she enjoys working with students to help them thrive.
*Emily Martin – is a graduate from the Evergreen State College. She holds a master’s in teaching degree and is currently teaches English at Orting High School.
Dr. Terrance MacMullan – has loved teaching philosophy at EWU since 2002. He writes and teaches about the history of philosophy, Latin-American Pragmatism and Pop Culture and Philosophy. His current research focuses on Latin American Philosophy and philosophy for children. Terry first played D&D in 1982 and has loved it ever since! When not teaching, he enjoys being a dad, acting in local theater companies, playing D&D at Merlyn’s and cosplaying as Qui Gon Jinn.
Greg McGuire – Satori’s beloved DJ brings more than 20 years of experience of DJing Satori dances. In addition, Greg works in Computer Sciences at Gonzaga University.
JaKe McNinch – graduated from the University of Washington with BAs in ‘Medical Anthropology and Global Health’ and ‘Romance Linguistics.’ Currently he is working to create better health outcomes through improved doctor/patient relationships while on the path to a ‘Rural Health MD.’
Erik Ness – currently working at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) in the Education Department. He holds a BA in History, with a minor in English that he earned from EWU. He is currently working on a master’s in history degree at Eastern Washington University.
*Jean Nishida Jones – currently teaches 3rd grade at an Elementary School in Lacey, WA. Prior to teaching, Jean was the Artistic Assistant for Island Choral Experience, a performing choir for girls ages 7-18 in the Seattle area.
*Connor Shirley – has worked as a reader and assistant editor for various literary magazines and online publications.
Alexis Sampson – earned an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and then began her career in the biotech industry. She also she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from University of Portland. She currently teaches middle and high school math at Spokane International Academy.
Carolina Suarez-Purdum – is originally from Argentina and has been teaching art for 13 years. She has her BA in Fine Arts at WSU and her M.Ed. from Eastern.
*Sam Thompson – is a software engineer and industrial designer. He creates websites and digital experiences, and as a hobby he tells robots how to make furniture.
Shawn Tolley – is a music teacher in Spokane, WA. His elementary music classes focus on performing music in a culturally responsible and traditional way. He leads after school performance ensembles working in World Music and Dance (Shaura), Zimbabwean style marimba (Rutsungo), and Japanese taiko (乗り越える太鼓, Norikoeru Taiko).
*Denotes former Satori campers.
